Chapter 75

Villain Only Acting 075

The First Thing to Be Crushed (3)

"Teacher Lee Min-soo saw a ghost, I heard."

"Wow, really?"

"Yeah, I heard. Didn't he just call a ridiculous NG a moment ago? He was startled because he saw a ghost grabbing his ankle."

"Wow, it seems our drama is about to become a huge hit."

"But this studio just opened this year. How can there be a ghost? Maybe it's the ghost of a worker who died in an accident during construction and is now harboring resentment?"

"I heard there were no fatal accidents during the construction of this studio."

"Then what kind of ghost is it?"

"Maybe there was a grave here before the studio was built? The restless spirit might have made the entire studio its new grave."

"That's kind of creepy."

"I wish it was the ghost of someone who died unjustly during the Gyeongyu Jeongnan and isn't even mentioned in history books. Wouldn't that be more epic?"

The rumor that Lee Min-soo saw a ghost during filming spread throughout the production team.

It was as if a single phrase had given birth to a horse that could travel a thousand miles without legs.

***

"Cut. That was good."

Even as he gave the okay sign, Director Jang Seung-won kept an eye on Lee Min-soo.

Lee Min-soo's face, as he returned to monitor the scene, was filled with dissatisfaction.

He was not satisfied with his own performance.

'Oh, Teacher. Please. This is already the fifth time for the same scene.'

Jang Seung-won silently prayed, and the cinematographer and staff felt the same way.

It was a performance that would make anyone silently marvel at its refinement and quality.

Yet, Lee Min-soo alone was not satisfied and kept repeating the scene.

'I feel bad for Seohoon, too. It must be frustrating for him to repeat the same scene when it's not his fault.'

If he had to repeat the same scene, it would be frustrating for Seohoon, who was acting opposite the veteran actor Lee Min-soo, even if he had complaints he couldn't show.

'I have to cut this for sure this time. If I don't mediate, there might be a rift between them.'

Jang Seung-won made up his mind.

Lee Min-soo, who was monitoring the scene, let out a sigh of frustration and expressed his dissatisfaction.

"This is really frustrating. It feels like something is just about to come up, but it doesn't quite get there..."

"From what I saw, it was a very good performance, Teacher. I think we can stop now."

"Still, how about one more time..."

"I'm fine. If you want to do it again, I'm happy to. I find it interesting too."

Seohoon's support brightened Lee Min-soo's face.

Even though Jang Seung-won had intended to cut it this time, he had no choice when the opposite actor said it was fine.

"Alright. This time, really, just this once?"

"I have some shame. If I'm still not satisfied this time, I'll just leave."

"Understood. Let's do it one more time. But everything you've done so far has been really good..."

Lee Min-soo, standing in front of the camera again, calmly scanned Seohoon and the LED wall.

The LED wall on the side was not blending well with Seohoon's background.

'Did I really see something wrong?'

The feeling that the entire LED wall had merged with Seohoon's background, transforming the surroundings into the world of the script, was vivid. It felt as if the studio had been dropped into the past. In that setting, he felt he could truly become the Left Minister.

Why did he trip over a rock and cause an NG?

Was it really just a hallucination?

'That's impossible. I didn't drink yesterday. My head is clear.'

A tingling sensation rose from his gray matter, driven by the desire for an answer.

Lee Min-soo gave his best performance, but he was still unsatisfied.

The lack of truly becoming the Left Minister, rather than just imitating him, tormented his heart.

"Cut, that was excellent. It was the best performance so far, Teacher."

Jang Seung-won's sincere praise fell on deaf ears.

Lee Min-soo approached Seohoon and asked.

"Seohoon, do you have time after we finish today?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to go right away today."

"What about tomorrow? Do you have time after we finish filming?"

"I think I can make time tomorrow. Why do you ask?"

Looking at Seohoon's calm face, Lee Min-soo felt an urge to ask if he was really unaware.

His composed eyes seemed to know everything but pretended not to.

He even thought that Seohoon might know something about the experience he had, where the surroundings matched the script perfectly.

'This is absurd.'

Lee Min-soo knew it was illogical.

But he couldn't shake the feeling that Seohoon knew something.

"While acting with you today, I felt something was always missing. I want to talk about it over a drink."

"I don't know if I can help. Are you sure you're not wasting your time?"

"No, I'm sure it will be a big help. Please, make time for me after filming tomorrow."

"Understood."

Seohoon watched as Lee Min-soo, slightly swaying, returned to his seat and then turned away.

He muttered to himself, making sure no one could hear.

"Seems like Teacher Lee Min-soo really saw something."

***

Jang Seung-won was not satisfied with just virtual production and outdoor sets.

He managed to secure the exclusive use of a 1,600-pyeong indoor studio and set up various sets, including a palace.

The virtual production could create a massive augmented reality background.

The indoor studio was decorated with various indoor and palace interior scenes.

And the outdoor set stage was adorned with the scenery of the capital.

Most of the filming alternated between these three sets, and they only went on location when necessary.

"Wow, it's really convenient that we have almost exclusive use of the Paju studio."

"Director, it seems we're filming twice as fast as when we did historical dramas at KBC."

"Really, it was a good decision not to film at KBC."

"Exactly. At CV Cable, we can use these Hollywood-style modern studios to our heart's content. If we had filmed at KBC, the quality would have been much lower."

"KBC would have eaten up all the budget too."

"Now, terrestrial channels are really outdated. Cable channels can't be caught up with. CV Cable is the king, the king."

The production team, who had moved from KBC, felt the difference in scale and efficiency of the Paju studio and the changed relationship between terrestrial and cable channels.

"I heard it cost over 300 billion won to build this studio... something terrestrial channels can only dream of."

"Absolutely not."

"Apparently, if this goes well, they might build an even bigger one... depending on the situation."

"Maybe terrestrial channels should just stick to low-budget daily dramas. They should leave the high-quality content to cable channels and private production companies."

There were side effects.

As Jang Seung-won monopolized the three most important facilities in the studio, complaints poured in from all sides.

But whenever such claims were made, Jang Seung-won responded without batting an eye.

"This is with the permission of the chief. You should take it up with him, not me."

"We'll only use it until May, and then we'll dismantle all the sets. Start making your reservations from then."

"But we only need it on weekends. Can you dismantle the set for a short while?"

"We also have weekend shoots. Do you think we're just squatting here? We shoot every day without a break."

"Let me see... We have a three-day holiday next month. I'll dismantle the set then. Just three days, three days. If you don't finish your shoot and clear out by then, I won't give you the studio even on our days off next time."

Jang Seung-won skillfully handled the protests and appeals while also managing the shooting schedule as a director.

***

The next day.

As promised, after the filming ended, Seohoon and Lee Min-soo headed to a regular pub for draft beer.

It was a famous place often visited by celebrities, but the customers recognized Lee Min-soo and Seohoon and did not approach them or ask for autographs.

"The owner of this place has a rule. Celebrities can do fan service, but if fans approach them first, they have to pay the golden bell and settle the bill."

"At least we can drink in peace."

"But the prices are high. Would you drink a thousand won for a glass of draft beer without feeling burdened?"

"The owner doesn't seem to be running this place just to make money."

"Right. He's a former rapper, so he made that rule."

Lee Min-soo started with light topics to ease the atmosphere, talking about how the day's filming went, who acted well, and how he hoped they could continue filming at the Paju studio.

When the alcohol had reached a suitable level in his bloodstream, he finally brought up the sensitive topic.

"Do you remember when I called an absurd NG while acting with you yesterday?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Do you think, like others, that I saw a ghost?"

"I wish it were true. They say seeing a ghost brings good luck, don't they?"

"That's about ghosts in music recording studios. In the drama world, it's not that hopeful a rumor."

Feeling embarrassed to bring it up without the influence of alcohol, Lee Min-soo kept pouring drinks.

"Actually, I saw something strange."

"Not a ghost, but something strange?"

"I saw a landscape that made it feel like we were really in the mountains."

"The LED wall was surprisingly clear and detailed. You couldn't even distinguish the pixels up close."

"That's not what I mean."

Lee Min-soo's tone suggested he felt Seohoon knew the answer and was trying to draw it out.

"I often imagine scenes where there are no production team or cameras around, and the background of the drama surrounds me."

"Is that so..."

"Sometimes, when I get too immersed in my imagination, I feel like I'm really in the background of the drama. Like you, I sometimes see illusions while the camera is rolling."

"Ah, indeed...!"

Lee Min-soo, with his eyes half-closed from the alcohol, muttered in agreement.

Seohoon could imagine how frustrated Lee Min-soo must have been, his throat parched.

After dedicating decades to acting, the fleeting glimpse of that enchantment through the lens must have made him chase after it like a mirage.

Unfortunately, he didn't know how to share that power.

If he did, he would have actively spread it to guide the actors.

'Han Seo-hee, Lee Min-soo.'

The characters who had come closest to the power of the lens. What made them different from others?

Or...

'Maybe I've changed since then.'

By now, Lee Min-soo had leaned back in his chair and fallen asleep, and Seohoon, returning to his seat, calmly enjoyed the cold, fizzy beer.

***

After sending Lee Min-soo back through his manager, Seohoon had a dream that night.

In the dream, he was a prince leading his subordinates through the mountains.

A large deer appeared in the distance, and he shot an arrow. When the deer fell, his subordinates cheered loudly for the successful hunt.

One of the larger subordinates picked up the deer and carried it as they all descended the mountain. Then, they saw the calm Left Minister.

The most noticeable thorn in his side, who had long noticed his ambitions and constantly tried to thwart them.

"Prince, the Left Minister is alone. What do you think about hunting now?"

"Be careful. It could be a trap. Why would a man of his status be alone in the mountains?"

"Then...?"

"Still, since we've met, let's exchange pleasantries and leave."

The prince approached the Left Minister casually and greeted him.

"Minister, what brings you to these deep mountains?"

The prince expected to see disdain in the Left Minister's eyes, who was clearly startled.

But it was different.

The Left Minister's eyes widened in surprise, and he suddenly looked at his own attire in confusion.

"Minister?"

"Prince, why are you here?"

The Left Minister, regaining his composure, suddenly scolded him with anger.

"Did you secretly gather your subordinates in the mountains for military training?"

"Minister, that's an exaggeration."

"An exaggeration? It's your ambition that's excessive!"

He could feel his subordinates becoming uneasy, and the prince's heart was filled with murderous intent.

"Excessive ambition? Who are you defaming, Minister?"

"It's you! Prince! You desire the throne, killed your nephew, and are trying to shake the foundations of this country! You, Prince Suyang!"

The prince, unable to contain himself, drew his sword and deeply stabbed the Left Minister's chest.

The Left Minister, with a deep wound, collapsed, spewing a massive amount of blood from his chest.

The prince, crouching beside the dying Left Minister, stuck his sword vertically into the ground and smirked.

"Teacher, you shouldn't use the title 'Suyang.' That's an NG. Let's do it again."

The blood and wound on the Left Minister's chest were real.

All of this was a dream, but it felt real.

The murderous intent that had just flared up was unclear whether it belonged to Rashid or the prince.

The Left Minister, convulsing, tried to say something but died with a look of regret, his eyes wide open.

The subordinates rushed forward to handle the body, causing a commotion, while the prince sat on a rock and watched silently.

Then, a faint vibration was felt from somewhere.

The vibration grew stronger, turning into an earthquake that shook the entire mountain, and a white hole that appeared in the cracked ground swallowed everything.

The dream ended there.

Buzz. Buzz.

Seohoon, opening his eyes, felt the loud vibration of his phone.

Blinking and staring at the ceiling, Seohoon slowly reached out to check the caller.

[Teacher Lee Min-soo]

"Yes, Teacher. It's Seohoon. Did you get home safely...?"

"I'm sorry to call so early. Did I wake you up?"

"It's fine. I was just about to wake up because I had a strange dream."

"I just had a strange dream too. I was killed by the prince in the dream."

Seohoon rubbed his face with his other hand, unsure if he was still half-asleep or if his rational control had slipped.

"Why did you call me 'Suyang' and cause that NG?"

Seohoon's words, uncontrolled by his rational mind, blurted out.